ICE Apprehends ‘Priority Target’ Levon Georgiyevich Ayrapetov in Los Angeles Operation
LOS ANGELES — Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) have arrested Levon Georgiyevich Ayrapetov, a national of Azerbaijan identified by federal authorities as a “priority target.” The operation, conducted by the Los Angeles field office, took place on February 2.
Ayrapetov was taken into custody based on his classification as a “criminal illegal alien,” a designation used by DHS to describe non-citizens present in the United States without authorization who have also been convicted of crimes. While specific details regarding Ayrapetov’s underlying criminal history were not immediately itemized in the initial announcement, the “priority” label is typically reserved for individuals who are deemed to pose a specific threat to public safety, national security, or border security under current enforcement guidelines.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) serves as the principal enforcement arm of ICE. The agency focuses its resources on identifying and deporting individuals who fall into mandatory detention categories, including those with significant criminal records. This arrest underscores the agency’s ongoing mandate to focus resources on individuals they believe present the highest risk to the community.
However, the enforcement protocols utilized in such arrests continue to face scrutiny. Immigration advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations often raise objections regarding the broad application of the “criminal” classification, arguing that it can sometimes encompass minor offenses or individuals who have already served their time in the criminal justice system. Furthermore, legal experts emphasize that an arrest by ICE does not equate to immediate deportation. Detainees retain rights to due process, including the ability to contest their removal before an immigration judge and to seek legal relief where applicable.
Ayrapetov remains in federal custody as he awaits further immigration proceedings to determine his status in the United States.
